The call to salvation begins with God. He initiates it by drawing us to come to Him.

John 6:44  "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him "

Revelation 3:20  "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in "

Human Efforts are Futile:

God desires an intimate relationship with us, but we cannot obtain it through our own efforts.Isaiah 64:6  "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags "

Romans 3:10  " There is no one righteous, not even one;

Separated by Sin:

We have a problem. Our sin spiritually separates us from God.Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

It is impossible for us to find peace with God through our own efforts. Anything we try to do to obtain God's favor or gain salvation is worthless and futile. We're saved by grace not works. Ephesians 2:8

A Gift from God:

Salvation then, is a gift from God. He offers the gift through Jesus, his Son. By laying down his life on the cross, Christ took our place and paid the ultimate price, the penalty for our sin  death. Jesus is our only way to God.

John 14:6  "Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Romans 5:8  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Responding to God's Call:

The only thing we must do is respond to God's call. But how? Receiving God's gift of salvation is not complicated. The response to God's call is explained in these simple steps found in God's Word:

1) Admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Turn away from your sin and to Jesus Christ.

2) Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

3) Come to him by the faith He provides, believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior.

4) You may pray a simple prayer to God.

You may want to make your response to God a prayer. Prayer is simply communicating with God. Pray using your own words. There is no special formula. Just pray from your heart to God, and believe that he has saved you. If you feel lost and just don't know what to pray, here's a prayer you can pray from your heart.

Dear Lord,I admit that I am a sinner. I turn to you and ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. Thank you for saving me.Amen

5) Now, don't doubt.

Salvation is by grace, through faith. There's nothing you did, or ever can do, to deserve it. It's a free gift from God. All you have to do is receive it!

Ephesians 2:8 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith  and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

6) Tell someone about your decision.Romans 10:9-10 says, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Adapted from Rev. Larry Rice, New Life Evangelistic Center)